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DALLAS -- The Lakers' winning, so surprising at first this season and startling again Tuesday night in a seemingly dire situation, is the manifestation. What comes before it — and so impressed Kobe Bryant behind the scenes back in the fall — is the improved work ethic of his Lakers teammates.

Noses pressed to grindstones to the point of blistering led to a 102-100 Lakers victory over the Dallas Mavericks on a night that began with Lakers coach Phil Jackson acknowledging he is merely "hopeful" injured Andrew Bynum can return by the postseason's first round.